Dallas Pets Alive!

Dallas Pets Alive 

Dallas Pets Alive (DPA), founded in 2012, is a primarily volunteer-run, foster-based rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of healthy and treatable pets at greatest risk of euthanasia in North Texas. Most pets that come into our care have medical issues so severe that shelters do not have the capacity for support. While fostering and adopting homeless pets is central to our mission, DPA has made it a top priority to proactively work with the community to help keep pets in their homes and out of local shelters. DPA proactively reduces shelter intakes by helping owners whose circumstances put them in a position to consider surrendering their pet(s) to a shelter through our Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS) program. DPA has worked diligently to build a reputation as a leading animal welfare organization in North Texas. DPA has served over 27,000 pets over the past 11 years!

Foster & Adoption Program: Fostering is the heart of Dallas Pets Alive’s rescue mission. The number of dogs and cats we can save depends entirely on the number of fosters who open their homes and hearts to our community’s homeless pets. Fosters provide a lifeline and a second chance for pets who may be underage, injured, or simply in need of some TLC before they can be adopted. DPA focuses on the pets that need us most, many coming to us with major medical issues or behavior needs. We believe each animal is worthy of getting a second chance at forever. 

PASS Program: PASS provides resources to pet owners to keep animals out of shelters and offers virtual support for pet ownership hardships. "Unfortunately, when hardship strikes families, even the furriest members feel it," says Leslie Sans, Executive Director.  In 2022, PASS prevented 399 pet surrenders and had over 2,000 interactions with families and individuals needing pet assistance. Since 2016, PASS has assisted 16,509 pet owners and has prevented 2,679 animals from being surrendered to local shelters.

Our Needs

DPA’s Foster-based Rescue Program needs funding for:

Every day, sick, injured and homeless pets are rescued by Dallas Pets Alive and our amazing fosters! The animals come in all breeds, sizes and colors. But one thing they all have in common is they need you in their corner to fight for them and ensure they will never have to feel pain again. When animals are 

DPA fosters provide a lifeline and a second chance for pets who may be underage, injured, or simply in need of some TLC before they can be adopted. The positive impact a foster has on a dog’s or cat’s adoption prospects may depend on DPA having the resources for the medical care and training necessary to prepare that animal for success..

Most pets that come into our care have medical issues so severe that shelters don’t have the capacity to care for them. More than a 1⁄3 of the animals DPA helps are considered Major Medical Cases ($1,000 or more in medical expenses). In 2022 we spent close to $300,000 on medical treatment for animals from basic vaccinations to heartworm treatment to major surgeries.

An animal’s behavior problems can be frustrating and overwhelming, but many common issues can be addressed with a little knowledge, training and consistency. An experienced trainer can often be extremely expensive but can make the difference for an animal in search of its fur-ever home.

The families and individuals that seek out our PASS program are most in need of:  

• All kinds of vet care from routine vaccines, spaying and neutering, to heart worm treatments, or assistance with major orthopedic surgeries. 
• Temporary boarding for a pet during a crisis like: an owner’s emergency hospital stay, owner is sheltering from abuse, or a gap between living arrangements.
• Pet deposits can be very restrictive to families looking to adopt a new pet, or move to a new home. 
• Hiring a trainer can often be extremely expensive and cost restrictive for some families. Our PASS program not only provides resources and recommendations for trainers, but can sponsor training sessions with our partners. 

Your Donation Keeps Homeless Pets from Disappearing!

When you see what others don't, you can do what others won’t! This North Texas Giving Day we are celebrating how a gift can give homeless pets a chance at a new life, to keep them from disappearing from local shelters. Please help us stand up for our homeless pets here in North Texas!